Tuesday, April 30, 2013

And, Sometimes, You Win...

Sometimes, you win.

This post is a loooong time in the writing, but I can say that today.

Let's look back a bit. Last September, Ellie began scouring severely. We tried probiotics, yogurt, and pepto-bismal. We sent a fecal sample to be tested. Ellie was diagnosed with a heavy worm load. The Ridge Runner Vets were helpful. They told us what we needed to use and where to find it. We thought we were out of the woods until nearly a month later, Ellie collapsed outside the barn. Unwilling to have her put down, we set to work to help her to recover, if she could. Our course involved changing her diet, moving her to the basement where we could watch her better, and trying every reasonable suggestion we could find to help her to gain the strength she would need to fight this. It was touch and go through the fall until Ellie was well enough to return to the pasture.

Winter hit with exceptionally long stretches of cold weather. One of these December snaps found Ellie down at the far end of her field- freezing. Back to the basement she went and we continued to try to help her to put on weight and gain back her strength.

By the time Spring arrived and Ruby, Rachel and Leah were ready to kid, Ellie was finally well enough to return to the barn. Still thinner than we liked and walking slower than previously, Ellie was beginning to make some noticeable improvements. Ellie started reasserting herself. She began vocalizing and warning the other does away from what she considered her personal hay manger. It escalated to the point that if the does ignored her warning, a head push was deployed to physically move the offending doe from Ellie's hay. Day after day, Ellie gained ground in putting on some much needed weight. As she did, her personality emerged. She began running to greet us and eat her morning and afternoon grain.

And, then, she did this:

It is not normally allowed behavior, but I could not have been more pleased when it happened. Finally, finally strong enough to use those muscles. I could have cried for the joy of it.

We have nearly 7 months before the warm weather is gone, again. 7 months for Ellie to continue to heal and make a full recovery. And, you know what? If I were a betting woman, I would put my money all on Ellie and let it ride. ♥

Thanks for visiting today, friends. I am very glad to have your company.
Sonja ♥

YAY!!! I am so happy to hear this. I remember back when you first posted about how it was recommended that you put her down but you wanted to save her if you could. I'm so glad you decided to try to help her get better. She looks wonderful!